We're always in the Middle of the Action! Wherever you are in the Bay Area, why not try your hand at the Oaks Card Club? We're an easy drive from any direction, featuring eight popular card games, including traditional poker, Pai Gow, Pure Blackjack, and Baccarat Gold. Be a winner at our popular weekly Texas Hold'em tournaments. Enjoy our Oaks Corner Sports Bar serving up big-screen TVs with all the local and national sports action. And enjoy our kitchen service with great Hofbrau, Chinese and Vietnamese food and Happy Hour, from 4 to 6 weekdays. There's plenty of parking and plenty of action 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 4097 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville, CA (510) 653-4456. www.OaksCardClub.com

Rich Yee, a talented photographer for the Ultimate Sports Guide, attended the Grand National Rodeo at the Cow Palace in Daly City last October and shot the above image. His striking photo caught people's attention and was entered into a Western Fairs Association photo competition and was subsequently voted the winner of the 2016 People's Choice Award. Along with the Award came the privilege of appearing on the cover of the Association's 2017 Spring issue (above). The Ultimate Sports Guide is honored to be working with such an accomplished and professional photographer. Congratulations, Rich! (Photo caption: Emmanuel Lataste, a professional acrobatic Bull Jumper from France, is part of the Flying U Rodeowhich performed at the Grand National Rodeoin Daly City in October. Standing only 5'-7," Lataste jumps an average height of 5'-9", narrowly sailing over his hard-charging foe. Photo by Rich Yee.)

San Francisco Giants

Despite the San Francisco Giants failed season, center fielder Denard Span continues to produce, most recently in San Diego on Sunday where he went three-for-four and raised his batting average to .288. With 200 or more at-bats, Span is third on the team in average, trailing only Buster Posey at .328 and Eduardo Nunez at .297. Above, Span crosses home plate in the Giants game against the New York Mets on June 23. Photo by Rich Yee.

San Francisco Giants Update

San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner's return to the mound against the San Diego Padres on Saturday evening was an unqualified success, much to the relief of Giants management and Giants fandom. After an absence of almost three months, Bumgarner showed little rust, striking out the first three batters he faced and allowing three runs and just four hits over seven innings, before leaving the game with the score tied at 3-3. The Giants ultimately lost as former teammate Hector Sanchez hit a two-run, ninth-inning home run for a 5-3 win. Photo by Kenny Karst.

San Francisco Giants Update:

It was a quiet week for Giants baseball, with the team only playing three games due to the All-Star break. San Francisco lost two out of three in San Diego, picking up right where they left off. Saturday's loss to the Padres also saw the return of Madison Bumgarner to the mound, who made his first start since his dirt bike accident in April. Bumgarner threw a solid game, giving up three runs in seven innings while striking out five. However, the addition of one pitcher saw the loss of another, as Johnny Cueto was placed on the disabled list due to blisters on his throwing hand. The Giants also had a quiet impact on the All-Star Game. Buster Posey, the sole Giant to make the team, started the game at catcher and played five innings, going 0-1 at the plate, with a walk. This was Posey's fourth start in the All-Star Game, and fifth appearance overall. On Monday the Giants return home to face the Cleveland Indians as they start a 10-game homestand. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m.

A's winning pitcher Sean Manaea pitched seven strong innings in Sunday's game, allowing just five hits, two runs and three walks, while striking out eight. Manaea's record for the year has improved to 8-5, with a 3.68 ERA. Photo by Rich Yee.

A's infielder Jed Lowrie hit his 10th home run in the third inning and is congratulated by teammates upon arriving back to the dugout. Lowie's run extended the A's lead as they coasted to a 7-3 win and swept the three-game series from Cleveland on Sunday. Next up are the Tampa Bay Rays, in town on Monday night, at 7:05 p.m. Photo by Rich Yee.

A's infielder Ryon Healy singles to right field in the first inning, driving in Matt Joyce and Marcus Semien. The A's jumped out to a four run lead, which they never relinquished, and have continued their season with a 3-0 record after the All-Star break. To view a full photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us. Photo by Rich Yee.

A's rookie Matt Chapman arrived in June with much fanfare but was initially slowed by a knee injury and a poor start. That is now behind him as Chapman broke out on Friday night against Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber, going 3 for 3 and blasting two home runs in a

5-3 victory. Above, Chapman is seen flashing some leather on Monday, July 3.

The Athletics got off to a hot start after the All-Star break, sweeping the Cleveland Indians at the Coliseum, to kick off the second half of the season. Sonny Gray, amid trade speculation, got the win in the series opener, throwing six shutout innings and allowing only two hits. Only a couple weeks away from the trade deadline, the Brewers, Cubs, and Indians have emerged as the most likely destinations for Gray, who has spent his entire career in Oakland. The A's finished the sweep of the Indians over the weekend, winning Saturday's game in walk-off fashion thanks to Khris Davis' two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth. Oakland was also well represented in the All-Star Game, with Yonder Alonso going 2-2, as the American League won its fifth consecutive Midsummer Classic. This week the Athletics will try to continue their home cooking against the Tampa Bay Rays before heading to New York to face the Mets. -- Addison Weil

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders, in partnership with Girls Inc. of Alameda County, hosted their annual Youth Empowerment Summit program, which offered an opportunity for 75 young women to attend the team's Alameda Training Facility for the program. This year's event focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Throughout the day, participants were empowered by experts in their sector, as well as learning confidence-building skills and the importance of education, fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Above, Raiders outside linebacker Shilique Calhoun joins attendees for a photo.Photo by Ed Jay.

Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski points to his uniform number after scoring his second goal of the match. Wondolowski wore number 38 in honor of teammate Matheus Silva, who recently emerged from a coma after a swimming accident. To view a full photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us. Photo by Darren Yamashita.

San Francisco Deltas v. Miami FC

The
San Francisco Deltas fell to visiting
Miami FC, 3-1, at Kezar Stadium on Saturday evening. Above, Miami FC midfielder Blake Smith controls the ball in front of winger Jackson. Despite the loss, San Francisco remains in second place, trailing front-running Miami. The
New York Cosmos are in third place.
Photo by Dave Donovan.

Miami FC midfielder Richie Ryan loses the ball and falls to the pitch as San Francisco Deltas defender Patrick Hopkins (left), winger Jackson (middle) and midfielder Christian Portilla converge. No foul was called and Ryan continued in the game. Photo by Dave Donovan.

San Francisco FlameThrowers' Cassidy Rasmussen blocks a throw early in the first quarter and created the game's first turnover against the Seattle Cascades on Saturday evening at Laney College in Oakland. The competitive contest saw San Francisco pull out to an early lead, from which Seattle could never recover. Final score: FlameThrowers 31, Cascades 26. Photo by Ron Sellers.

The FlameThrowers, with an 8-4 record, are tied for first place with the Los Angeles Aviators and San Jose Spiders and appear headed for the playoffs once again. They conclude their season this coming weekend with away games against the Seattle Cascades and

The 30th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals takes place at Sonoma Raceway on July 28-30. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series boasts dragsters that cover the drag strip in less than four seconds at over 320 mph and the Sonoma race weekend will feature competition in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Above, Top Fuel driver and four-time Sonoma winner Antron Brown, who has won back-to-back world championships, will be competing. Photo by Robert Redmond.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Many of the world's greatest motorcycle road racers descended upon Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship over the weekend of July 7-9. Above, Great Britain's Jonathan Rea (1) leads the pack down the infamous Mazda Raceway corkscrew. Photo by Rich Yee.

The family that strolls together... To view a full photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us. Photo by William Yee.

Hoodslam

Hoodslam, an underground professional wrestling event, returned to its favorite venue, the Oakland Metro Operahouse on Friday, July 7, and provided numerous highlight reels. Above, the Killer Baes, Heather Monroe and Laura James, defeated Nurse Ratchet and Brittany Wonder to win the East Bay Golden Fannypacks. Photo by Rich Yee.

Cereal Man leaps off the top ropes and drop kicks Botchi the Clown into tomorrowland. Photo by Rich Yee.

2 Minute Warning with Danielle Alvari

2 Minute Warning with Danielle Alvari -- Danielle turns her keen eye on the world of sports in her weekly updates. Delivered with fervor and charm, her show on You Tube offers a look at the quirks and appeals which makes sports so special. In Danielle's ninth episode, she talks of the Dodgers win streak, Aaron Judge's home run derby win, Lonzo Ball's summer league so far, James Harden's record breaking deal, Titans' Logan Ryan's kind gift to his brother, and Jamie Horowitz getting fired from FOX Sports. Visit: https://www.youtube.com/

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Sports Prep Star --

Ty Akabane

San Ramon Valley High School, Danville
-- Golf -- Junior

Ty Akabane, 16, recently qualified (as a high schooler, mind you) for the USGA Women's Open. "It's been a goal of mine to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open ever since I was a little girl," Akabane said. "That's been the pinnacle of golf. All these great people have played in it. To be able to play in it is so humbling." But like many athletes, Akabane had to wait. That happens a lot in the sport of golf. What happened next, doesn't. Having posted her 36-hole score at a June 5 U.S. Women's Open qualifier, Akabane had to watch the scoreboard at Lake Merced Golf Club -- there were only two qualifying spots up for grabs. She became antsy, but then the news finally broke: she was going to play in the women's golf's national championship, the oldest of the women's majors, with a purse of $5 million. "When I found out, it was just so cool. It just didn't feel like it actually happened," she said. "What? Really? I'm going to the Open?" We're pretty confident we will see her again on the big stage. Courtesy: Sportstars Magazine. Photo: Samuel Stringer.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Largemouth Bass are a perfect pairing for a wonderful weekend in the Napa Valley.

"Uh, Excuse me. I think you might have spent too much time in the tasting room. Did you say largemouth bass? Is that a new millennial varietal?"

No, it's a secret. You can't tell a soul but the irrigation ponds on a number of Napa/Sonoma vineyards are home to some whoppers. Having fished all over, I learned early on that many places you might not think of hold fat, finny creatures and are productive fishing spots.

Path to a pond...

The story began 35 years ago during a round of golf at Silverado Country Club in Napa. My son was a bit young to play but had developed decent enough skills with a rod and reel to hop off the cart for a few casts at ponds on the courses. We were on the hole near the former home of golf legend Johnny Miller. He had a nice pond for a front lawn. I heard my son screaming as he held up a bass that was probably four pounds, before throwing it back. Golf courses all over the country can be teeming with bass, crappie and sunfish. I always carry a mini rod in my golf bag.

I've had the elusive "birdie and bass" combo on more than one course.

TressBassing...

Spending time up in the Valley I became friends with a few vineyard managers who were OK with me walking through the vines to their ponds. Over time I was able to figure out which ones produced.

If you are up to the challenge of giving it a shot, there are a few rules you should follow:

* Always ask for permission to fish on someone's pond

* All fishing is catch and release

* Use barbless hooks

* Mini rods and reels are preferred

* No treble hooks.

* No wine-ing if you don't catch

* Be ready with your camera phone for great shots of ducks. geese, turtles, bullfrogs, spectacular scenery and sunsets

* Best lures are spinner baits, small poppers and Rapalas.

* The water levels in the ponds are key to fishability, with May-July being prime time

* Remember that these ponds are used to irrigate the vineyards

From time to time there might be some simple "TressBassing going on," but if you want to taste during the day, toss a few of your favorite lures at dusk and end the evening with a great meal. There is no better place to do so than in the Wine Country.

My Walden Pond...

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Michael King (left), with an associate from USF (center), and Karla Granadino-King, are pictured at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, proudly sharing with the world their Pops Premium Rumpopo. A King family secret, Pops Premium Rumpopo is a delicious rum cream liqueur recipe brewed in the family tradition. The award winning recipe is a Belizean family favorite and now available at all Total Wine & More stores in California and Bay Area retailers.